What makes an area stand out in a region full of “standout” locations?

It isn’t very easy.

St. Tammany Parish has sung a siren’s song to home buyers that it is a land of apart from the rest of the metropolitan New Orleans area.

JAMES GAFFNEY / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

Indeed, resting comfortably on the northern shores of Lake Pontchartrain, St. Tammany Parish has been an inviting place that maintains the rich traditions of small-town wonder with the convenience of neighboring urban life.

But within St. Tammany, there are some places that even glow rather brightly with the warmth of down-home ambiance and rustic charm.

Abita Springs is one of those spots.

And in a parish filled with bright spots in which to put down roots, Abita Springs is catching the attention of a host of home buyers.

JAMES GAFFNEY / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

TAKING AN INTEREST

Realtors familiar with the area are pointing to strong signs that show buyers are taking an interest in Abita Springs.

“It’s unbelievable — business has been really good,” said Ron Leo of GARDNER, Realtors. “The area near Abita Springs is one of the strongest areas north of 1-12 and east of (U.S. Highway) 190. It’s a real big growth area.”

From first-time buyers, investors, relocating families and older families looking to downsize or escape the urban thrall, Abita Springs has much to offer.

Real estate agents pointed to examples of each of those types of buyers who are not just looking at homes in the area but buying those homes as well.

And they are buying into a community feeling that is very strong in Abita Springs.

“People are looking for that small-town feel, not that big subdivision,” said Tammy Whitehead of LATTER & BLUM, Inc./Realtors. Abita is “quaint, it’s quiet” but it is also convenient to other areas. “You’re getting a small-town feel but you’re not having to go far out to get it.”

And the buyers obliviously want it.

From the end of 2011 through the first few months of this year, figures show a steady and robust rate of pending home sales for this pocket of the north shore.For a potential buyer, Abita Springs offers a wonderful place to return to each night, something real estate professionals say is important and high on the list of attributes.

“It’s a beautiful town,” said Kahlid Alahmed of COLDWELL BANKER TEC Realtors. “I love everything about it. There’s lots of things going on everywhere in Abita.”That sentiment applies not only to the cultural life of the town but also to the dwelling offerings as well.

New construction can be found in the area, as well as a melange of home styles from the recent past to yesteryear.

MUCH TO OFFER

As a place to live, Abita Springs has a tremendous amount of attributes. Steeped in history, the actual springs were a much sought-after locale for their therapeutic properties.

That feeling seems to have permeated the very air of the place, offering a respite for artists, tourists and those in need of some TLC. Those kinds of creative forces have forged a community out of the piney woods that is an organic model for many planned communities elsewhere.

But Abita Springs has the distinction of being natural, something locals like to celebrate and enjoy.

Add to that some other factors that make Abita Springs a welcome spot for home buyers. It enjoys ready access to the thriving and bustling sectors of St. Tammany Parish growth.

The major metro areas of the southern part of the state (New Orleans and Baton Rouge) are an easy drive on the interstates. So is the Gulf Coast or the River Parishes.

Recreational options abound, particularly with the Tammany Trace running through downtown. Culture is also strong, with restaurants, museums and other activities in full swing and more on the drawing boards.